Herat Mayor Fired Following Doctors' Strike

HERAT, Afghanistan -- The mayor of the western Afghan city of Herat -- accused of beating a local pediatrician -- has been sacked following a four-day strike by the city's doctors.

Muhammad Salim Taraki said on February 26 that he considered the central government's decision to remove him from the mayor's post "appropriate."

Doctors at Herat's state-owned hospital say Mirwais Atai was beaten on February 22 after he told a female member of Taraki's family to wait her turn for her child to be vaccinated when she had demanded immediate attention.

Taraki and his son are accused of attacking the doctor at the hospital before abducting him and taking him to the mayor's house, where they allegedly beat him again.

Doctors had demanded that authorities arrest the attackers and also ensure the safety of medical workers.